Last updated on eMC: 11 Dec 2013

What is a Patient Information Leaflet and why is it useful?

The Patient Information Leaflet (PIL) is the leaflet included in the pack with a medicine. It is written for patients and gives information about taking or using a medicine. It is possible that the leaflet in your medicine pack may differ from this version because it may have been updated since your medicine was packaged.

Below is a text only representation of the Patient Information Leaflet.
The original can be viewed in PDF format using the link above.

The text only version may be available from RNIB in large print, Braille or audio CD.
For further information call RNIB Medicine Leaflet Line on 0800 198 5000.
The product code(s) for this leaflet is: PL30306/0030.

Valaciclovir 500mg Tablets

PATIENT INFORMATION LEAFLET

Valaciclovir 500mg tablets

Read all of this leaflet carefully before you start taking this medicine because it contains important information for you.

Keep this leaflet. You may need to read it again.

If you have any further questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

This medicine has been prescribed for you only. Do not pass it on to others. It may harm them, even if their signs of illness are the same
as yours. If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet. See section
4.

What is in this leaflet:

1 What Valaciclovir tablets are and what they are used for2 What you need to know before you take Valaciclovir tablets3 How to take Valaciclovir tablets4 Possible side effects5 How to store Valaciclovir tablets6 Contents of the pack and other information

1 What Valaciclovir tablets are and what they are used for

Valaciclovir belongs to a group of medicines called antivirals. It works by killing or stopping the growth of viruses called herpes simplex (HSV),
varicella zoster (VZV) and cytomegalovirus (CMV).

Valaciclovir can be used to:

treat shingles (in adults).

treat HSV infections of the skin and genital herpes (in adults and adolescents over 12 years old). It is also used to help prevent these
infections from returning.

treat cold sores (in adults and adolescents over 12 years old).

prevent infection with CMV after organ transplants (in adults and adolescents over 12 years old).

treat and prevent HSV infections of the eye.

2 What you need to know before you take Valaciclovir tablets

Do not take Valaciclovir tablets

if you are allergic to valaciclovir or aciclovir or any of the other ingredients of this medicine (listed in Section 6).

Do not take Valaciclovir tablets if this applies to you. If you are not sure, talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking Valaciclovir
tablets.

If you are not sure if the above apply to you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking valaciclovir.

Prevent passing genital herpes on to others

If you are taking Valaciclovir tablets to treat or prevent genital herpes, or you have had genital herpes in the past, you should still practice safe
sex, including the use of condoms. This is important to prevent you passing the infection on to others. You should not have sex if you have
genital sores or blisters.

Other medicines and Valaciclovir tablets

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking, have recently taken or might take any other medicines.

This includes medicines obtained without a prescription, including herbal medicines.

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines that affect the kidneys. These include: aminoglycosides, organoplatinum
compounds, iodinated contrast media, methotrexate, pentamidine, foscarnet, ciclosporin, tacrolimus, cimetidine and probenecid.

Always tell your doctor or pharmacist about other medicines if you are taking Valaciclovir tablets for treatment of shingles or after having an organ
transplant.

Pregnancy and breast-feeding

Valaciclovir is not usually recommended for use during pregnancy. If you are pregnant, or think you could be, or if you are planning to become
pregnant, don’t take Valaciclovir tablets without checking with your doctor. Your doctor will weigh up the benefit to you against the risk to your baby of
taking Valciclovir tablets while you’re pregnant or breastfeeding.

Driving and using machines

Valaciclovir can cause side effects that affect your ability to drive. Don’t drive or use machines unless you are sure you’re not affected.

3 How to take Valaciclovir tablets

Always take this medicine exactly as your doctor has told you. Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure.

The dose that you should take will depend on why your doctor has prescribed Valciclovir tablets for you. Your doctor will discuss this with
you.

Treatment of shingles

The usual dose is 1000mg three times a day. You should take Valaciclovir tablets for seven days.

Treatment of cold sores

The usual dose is 2000mg twice a day. The second dose should be taken 12 hours (no sooner than 6 hours) after the first dose. You should
take valaciclovir for one day (two doses) only.

Treatment of HSV infections of the skin and genital herpes

The usual dose is 500mg twice a day. For the first infection you should take Valaciclovir tablets for five days or for up to ten days if your doctor
tells you to. For recurrent infection the duration of treatment is normally 3-5 days.

Helping to prevent HSV infections from returning after you have had them

The usual dose is 250mg twice a day. Taking one 250mg tablet twice a day may give benefit to some people with frequent recurrences (instead
of one 500mg tablet once a day). You should take Valaciclovir tablets until your doctor tells you to stop.

To stop you being infected with CMV (Cytomegalovirus)

The usual dose is 2000mg four times a day. You should take each dose about 6 hours apart. You will usually start taking Valaciclovir tablets as
soon as possible after your surgery. You should take Valaciclovir tablets for around 90 days after your surgery, until your doctor tells you to stop.

Your doctor may adjust the dose of valaciclovir tablets if:

you are over 65 years of age

you have a weak immune system

you have kidney problems.

Talk to your doctor before taking Valaciclovir tablets if any of the above apply.

Taking this medicine

Take this medicine by mouth. Swallow the tablets whole with a drink of water. Take Valaciclovir tablets at the same time each day. Take
Valaciclovir tablets according to instructions from your doctor or pharmacist.

People over 65 years of age or with kidney problems

It is very important while you are taking valaciclovir tablets that you drink water regularly during the day. This will help to reduce side
effects that can affect the kidney or nervous system. Your doctor will closely monitor you for signs of these. Nervous system side effects might
include feeling confused or agitated, or feeling unusually sleepy or drowsy.

Children below 12 years of age

Valaciclovir tablets are not recommended for use in children below 12 years of age.

If you take more valaciclovir tablets than you should

Valaciclovir is not usually harmful, unless you take too much over several days. If you take too many tablets you may feel sick, vomit, or be
confused, agitated or unusually sleepy. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you take too much valaciclovir. Take the medicine pack with you.

If you forget to take valaciclovir tablets

If you forget to take valaciclovir, take it as soon as you remember. However, if it is nearly time for your next dose, skip the missed dose. Do not
take a double dose to make up for a forgotten dose.

4 Possible side effects

Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them. The following side effects may happen with this
medicine:

Conditions you need to look out for

severe allergic reactions (anaphylaxis). These are rare in people taking valaciclovir tablets. Rapid development of symptoms
including: flushing, itchy skin rash, swelling of the lips, face, neck and throat, causing difficulty in breathing (angiodema), fall in blood pressure
leading to collapse.

If you have an allergic reaction, stop taking valaciclovir tablets and see a doctor straight away.

Very Common (affects more than 1 user in 10):

headache

Common (affects 1 to 10 users in 100):

feeling sick

dizziness

vomiting

diarrhoea

skin reaction after exposure to sunlight (photosensitivity).

rash

Uncommon (affects 1 to 10 users in 1,000):

feeling confused

seeing or hearing things that aren’t there (hallucinations)

feeling very drowsy

tremors

feeling agitated

These nervous system side effects usually occur in people with kidney problems, the elderly or in organ transplant patients taking high doses of
8 grams or more of valaciclovir a day. They usually get better when valaciclovir is stopped or the dose reduced.

Other uncommon side effects:

shortness of breath (dyspnoea)

stomach discomfort

rash, sometimes itchy, hive-like rash (urticaria)

low back pain (kidney pain)

blood in the urine (haematuria)

Uncommon side effects that may show up in blood tests:

reduction in the number of white blood cells (leucopenia)

reduction in the number of blood platelets which are cells that help blood to clot (thrombocytopenia)

increase in substances produced by the liver.

Rare (affects 1 to 10 users in 10,000)

unsteadiness when walking and lack of coordination (ataxia)

slow, slurred speech (dysarthria)

fits (convulsions)

altered brain function (encephalopathy)

unconsciousness (coma)

confused or disturbed thoughts

disorientation and confusion often accompanied by hallucinations (delirium)

These nervous system side effects usually occur in people with kidney problems, the elderly or in organ transplant patients taking high doses of
8grams or more of valaciclovir a day. They usually get better when valaciclovir is stopped or the dose reduced.

Other rare side effects:

kidney problems where you pass little or no urine.

Reporting of side effects

If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet. You can also report
side effects directly via the internet at www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard. Alternatively you can call Freephone 0808 100 3352 (available from 10 a.m. to 2
p.m. Mondays to Fridays) or fill in a paper form available from your local pharmacy. By reporting side effects you can help provide more information
on the safety of this medicine.

5 How to store Valaciclovir tablets

Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children.

Do not use this medicine after the expiry date which is stated on the label, carton or bottle after EXP. The expiry date refers to the last day of that
month.

Do not store above 30°C.

Do not throw away any medicines via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to throw away medicines you no longer use.
These measures will help protect the environment.